Ozolinsh played more than 32 minutes in Wednesday's game, despite having flown from Raleigh, N.C., with just enough time to take a physical and dress for the game.

Ozolinsh, and his $15.5 million salary for the next three years, were obtained from Carolina in a trade that sent Bret Hedican, Kevyn Adams and Tomas Malec, a third-round selection in the 2001 draft, to the Hurricanes. The Panthers also got center Byron Ritchie in the deal.

The Panthers hope the 6-foot-3, 29-year-old native of Latvia can spark an offense that has been shut out in two consecutive games and is averaging 2.0 points per game, tied with Columbus and Tampa for worst in the NHL.

"I'll do everything possible that I can do to help score more goals," Ozolinsh said, "At the same time I'm not going to go around all crazy and neglect the defensive game."

Keenan said adding Ozolinsh to the roster was a key move in rebuilding the team.

"We have arguably the best goal scorer in the league," Keenan said, referring to Pavel Bure, "and now you've got a top defenseman, and most likely have a very important part of the puzzle in place with goaltending [in Roberto Luongo]. That's how you start building a franchise."

Not Kidding around

While Keenan believes Luongo is the Panthers' goalie of the future, he said Trevor Kidd may get some playing time in the three-games-in-four-day stretch that begins tonight in Dallas.

"I think that I'll give Trevor an opportunity," Keenan said. "He's been working really hard off the ice. You have to reward people for their work and their effort, and he deserves to be rewarded." ...

Bure was on the ice for the start of Thursday's practice, but Keenan sent him to the locker room when they started shooting drills, fearing that Bure might aggravate the broken hand suffered Jan. 9 vs. Dallas. Bure did not make the World All-Star team, so Ozolinsh will be the Panthers' only representative Feb. 2 in Los Angeles....

Ryan Johnson was on the ice for the full practice, and although he didn't make the trip to Dallas, said his recovery from a concussion is near an end. "I don't want to rush it, but I really felt good today," he said. ...

Luongo and Kristian Huselius were named to play in the inaugural Topps/NHL YoungStars game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 1 as part of All-Star weekend. The four-on-four game is for players 25 and younger and will be televised on ESPN before the SuperSkills competition.